At this time of year, when the days are so short, you may well be getting up before dawn and coming home after dark. Add to that, the fact that we have had weeks of dank, grey and miserable weather and, you like me, will be dreaming of that time of year, when the warmth of the sun makes the outdoors a place to enjoy. So it is, that the selection of artists for this next show at Malvern Theatres, celebrates the memories of glorious holidays on a beach somewhere, in a small fishing village or in Britain’s glorious countryside. Owning such a painting, would help remind the buyer of how wonderful, the Summer and Autumn really are.

Sandra Francis paints evocative seascapes from her studio within sight of the Solent, on the Isle of Wight. Artists have loved to work in coastal areas because the light is so special. Previously, Sandra had her own gallery near Maidenhead, Berkshire for 8 years, where she sold her own artwork as well as several other artists’ original paintings. She developed a range of 55 London scenes which were printed and sold in London; some used in the backdrops of popular television series.

She has sold paintings world-wide via the internet, and journeyed to Africa to paint portraits. She developed a range of tropical seascapes from imagination, having spent her childhood in Africa.

It was after closing her gallery in 2000, that she moved to the Isle of Wight to paint acrylic seascapes of its beautiful coastline. This is Sandra’s first exhibition in Malvern.

Paul Bursnall’s viewpoint, in contrast, is often from the sea towards the land. He paints nautical scenes in a naive style using blocks of colour and heavy outlines. Collectors love the freshness of colour Paul uses to portray his subject matter. His works are contemporary in style, while at the same time harking back to images from our youth. In Paul’s works, like in our memories of summers past, the sun always shines.

Paul is a member of ABNA (Association of British Naive Artists) and Bucks Art Society. A finalist in the Aesthetica Art competition, his work of almost 1500 originals has sold across the world, especially the United States and Ireland.

Like Sandra, he has not shown in Malvern before.

Diana Aungier-Rose also paints works which celebrate the sweetness of nature. In her case the scenes are inland, but the fascination with the play of light, and the way it describes form are key to her style.

Although she was born in Oxford in 1956, she lived in South Africa for most of her teenage years before returning to London in 1979. Her years in South Africa had a profound effect on her work; the sumptuous colours of the landscapes, the skies and the people of the country are reflected in the opulence and vibrancy of her paintings. She now paints and holds art classes in her home studio in the Cotswolds and visits France as often as possible. Diana has exhibited widely throughout UK and her work is held in collections across Europe. This is Diana’s second exhibition at Malvern Theatres.

The exhibition runs every day from Monday 25 January to Saturday 5 March.

Interview with artist Diana Shaul

As an artist, I love to create pictures that tell a story, and the greatest compliment I ever receive is when someone tells me that my art has moved them in some way. That is the magic of art: it can capture a moment that instantly transports you to another world, right where you stand - and even in a small space, the right artwork can give you a little of that magic.

Big paintings work well as centrepieces in big spaces - in a lobby or over a fireplace or a sofa - and they can instantly give a room personality and set the mood.

But smaller works can transform a small space - whether a single small drawing that hangs over a reading nook or desk and inspires, or a collection of works that line a hall or stairwell and together tell a story or lend warmth and colour to a den or snug. I cherish this idea, and as a result I often choose to create smaller works of art - whether little cartoons that might make a visitor to the downstairs cloakroom smile, or beautiful paintings to transform a dark little cranny and fill it with colour.

One of the best displays of art I have seen in a small place was in a hallway of a small flat, where a collection of small, colourful watercolours had been displayed at an upward angle leading from the entrance door to the flat. They were framed in simple wooden frames that did not distract from their impact, and they lent a sense of space, brightness and colour to a previously uninteresting and poorly lit space. Although the artworks did not share a subject, they all expressed a sense of freedom, in a brilliant reflection of their owner's personality. (I must admit here that my family and I liked this idea so much that we have shamelessly copied it in our own home!)

If you only have a small space, it's more important than ever to choose the right artwork for you. There are no rules - only that you find something that you love!

This week we shine the spotlight on bestselling artist, Sheryl Roberts. Reflecting the early morning light and catching the energy of the moment are the main inspirations behind Sheryl’s works. The intensity of the scenes she captures give a real impact, aided by the choice of strong pigment in oils and acrylics, and the occasional bold marks from a palette knife.

We find out where Sheryl gets her inspiration and very recognisable style from:

Sheryl Roberts: I wake up very early! This is my favourite time of the day when the earth is sleeping I find peace and solace watching the day break.

AG: Where do you gather inspiration for your artwork?

SR: With my iPad I capture the light gradually turning on the vast skies. Experiencing the first light and the waking landscape gives me my main source of inspiration.

AG: What was the first piece of art you created and the first piece of art you sold?

SR: I sold my first piece in 1999 and still thrive on sharing my ideas through my paintings. I was elated to find, as an abstract artist, others could share my vision and appreciate my art as I assumed, at first, that this was an inward and very personal representation of my thoughts and feelings.

AG: What is the most important piece of equipment in your artist’s tool box?

SR: The most important piece of equipment in my toolbox is an old working clock face of my late grandfathers. I look at it too much! I am pretty obsessed with time - constantly trying to predict what the sky will look like throughout the day.

SR: Since joining artgallery.co.uk I have sold many pieces of artwork. It certainly helped in gaining a wider audience for my work together with Aileen and Heather (the "real" people behind it!) being helpful and encouraging throughout.